Lewis e



(No Model.)

L. B. CRAIG.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

u. Prrzns, Phulwliihographer, wumn mn, o. c

'NITED STATES PATENT Fries.

LEWIS l3. CRAIG, OF SALEM, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T O HENRY G.LONG, OF SAME PLACE.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,570, dated Qctober2, .1868.

Application filed August), 1887. Serial No. 247,373. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Lnwrs B. Callie, of Sn. lem, in the county of .Dentand State of Missouri, have invented certain. new and usefulImprovements in Abdominal Supporters, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanyingdrawing, forminga part of this specitication.

The drawing is a perspective view of my improved abdominal supporter,showing it laced and fastened as worn.

This invention relates to devices for supporting the relaxed abdominalwalls at times of especial necessity, to assist the muscles in holdingthe viscera in place; and the invention consists in features of noveltyhereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawing, in which similar- 2 figures indicate likeparts in the view, 1. represents the abdominal corset or body of mysupporter provided with a band, 2, around the top, which is securedtogether in front by the engagement of the button 3 with the button-hole4. The device issupported by a pair of suspenders, 5, that are securedto it behind at 6, and adjustably held in front by buckles 7, attachedto the band that holds the sus penders to any required adjustment as tolength.

The corset is made open in front and provided with a series of eyelets,8, near its corresponding edges, 9, in which the lace engages toregulate relatively the expansion and contraction of the corset inconformity to the abdominal regions that it embraces.

11 represents gore-openings that ascend from the bottom of the abdominalcorset a sufficient distance from its front opening to be convenient foradjusting the rotundity of the corset. These openings curve somewhat anddiverge from each other as they ascend, reaching nearly to the band 2,that surrounds the corset. These openings, like that in front, aresupplied with eyelets 13, in which laces l4 engage to regulate therelative expansion and contraction to accord with the condition andcontour of the abdominal region at such time.

15 representsare-enforce frontalsupportingband, which is adjustablysecured by buckles 16 that are attached to the corset beyond thegore-openings on each side. This strap is held in a downward curve fromits attached ends by loops 17, that are secured to the front of thecorset, and is thereby held in the most advantageous position toreenforce the corset in its support of that part of the abdominal regionduring and after parturition.

18 represents two soft elongated pads that pass between the thighs togive support to the body beneath the vagina. These pads are suspendedfrom the back of the abdominal corset by elastic straps 19, and are alsoprovided with elastic straps 20 at the front ends, which are suppliedwith button-holes 21, that are adjustably engaged on buttons 22, whichare fastened to the front of the corset. The elas ticity of these bandsthat carry the pads makes them selfadjusting, and while they areefficient as supporters they are at the same time easy on the wearer. Itwill also be seen that they are easily unbuttoned in front, as occasionmay require.

23 represents broad adjustable leg -bands that are secured to the frontof the corset by stitching at 24, or by any other suitable means, andare suspended on the outside by elastic straps 25, which are stitched tothe side of the corset at 26 and to the band at 27. The band is securedaround the thighs by button-holes 28, (two series of which on each. bandare shown for adjusting the same,) each end of the over and under lap ofthe leg-bands being secured by said bu.tton-holes,which engage the twoplaces on each band where are located the buttons 29. Elastic tie-straps30 attach the suspenders together.

The various parts of this abdominal supporter are arranged andadjustable with a View to conform to the exact contour of the abdomi- 9onal regions that they are desired to embrace. They form a bandage forthe support and compression of the relaxed abdominal walls, and areintended to assist the muscles in holding the viscera in place. Toenable the supporter to effect its said purpose, the frontand gorelace-openings 9 and 11, the downward-curved re-enforce strap, and thesoft elongated elastic pads that pass under the body beneath the vaginaand are adjust-ably secured in front to the series of buttons 22, areall arranged while they'allow the necessary expansion to the relaxedmuscles, at the same time to gently hold the inclosed viscera in place.

I claim as my invention 1. In an abdominal supporter, the combina= tion,with the corset having laced front and gore openings, of a pair ofadjustable supporting-pads having elastic connections, and theadjustable leg bands, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in an abdominal sup porter, of the abdominal corsetand Waistband, the laced and buttoned opening 9 in front, and the lacedcurved openings 11, the strap 15, adjustahly secured at its ends bybuckles 16 and held downby the loops 17 in a position to advantageouslyre-enforce the supporter and bear the weight of the relaxed abdominalwalls to assist the muscles in holding the viscera in place,substantially as set fortln 3. The combination, with the corset havinglaced front and gore openings and the re-enforcing band, of a pair ofadj ustable supporting-pads having elastic connections, a pair ofadjustable leg-bands having connections di- 25 rcctly to the lower outeredge of the front of the corset, and the outer flexible straps forconnecting the outer portions ofsaid leg-bands with the sides of thecorset, substantially as described.

LEWIS B. CRAIG. In presence of JOHN R. Rnnnreu, WILLIAM J. J oNEs.

